Guest Post: 5 Exercises to Support Your AIP Lifestyle

Today I have another guest post for you guys. On my own AIP Journey, exercise has been one of the most difficult components for me to incorporate. So I asked Bree from ProteinPromo to share some exercise tips for us AIP folks. Comment below and let us know what exercise routine you have incorporated on your healing journey!

5 Exercises to Support Your AIP Lifestyle

Autoimmune disorders comprise of hundreds of health conditions that result from the body’s immune system fighting its organs. Such disorders include thyroiditis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and lupus, and there is no curative treatment for them.

Yet, by adopting the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP), you can use specific foods as medicine to cope with, and reduce symptoms while giving your immune system a fighting chance. If you have adopted the AIP lifestyle, it is essential to combine it with an effective workout routine that will help strengthen your body muscles, and provide physical and emotional relief. Here are some of the top exercises that go well with individuals under the AIP diet.

Daily Walks

Autoimmune diseases throw the body for a toss, and gathering the energy to perform highly engaging exercises can be difficult at first. If you are in such a phase, you can start by introducing a gentle walk in your daily routine. Avoid running as it will cause fatigue or worsen your symptoms.

Start with short walks around your neighborhood and increase the distance as you regain your strength progressively. Over time, you will find that your body is strong enough to handle more intense exercises.

Yoga and Meditation

Yoga is a gentle form of exercise that can help not just to gradually strengthen your muscles, but also to heal your body from the inside out. It is a great way of practicing meditation for improved moods, reduced stress, and better sleeping patterns.

Consider enrolling for yoga classes with a trainer as this gives you an opportunity to socialize. Suffering from autoimmune diseases can be traumatic, and getting out of the house and interacting with people is a vital part of the self-healing process.

Low-Impact Cardio

Low-impact cardio exercises are low-intensity workouts that you can engage with over a prolonged period of time. They include cycling, swimming, elliptical training, and rowing.

Low-impact cardio helps in strengthening your heart and lungs, lowering blood pressure, controlling blood sugar, building strength and toning muscles, and facilitating weight management. These exercises are convenient; you can practice them at home if you don’t want to go to the gym.

Resistance Weight Training

Once your body muscles and organs gain strength from walks, yoga, and a low-impact cardio regimen, you can consider introducing yourself to resistance weight training. This is a form of exercise that uses weights for resistance, in turn strengthening your body.

It includes weightlifting, body weight exercises, and circuit training. Resistance weight training further improves cardiovascular circulation, and promotes healthy cholesterol levels. A carefully planned resistance weight training session under the AIP program is also great for those who suffer from weight issues, helping burn a higher percentage of body fat than low-impact cardio exercises.

Muscle Tightening and Relaxation Exercises

There are times when you may be too fatigued to walk, do yoga, or any other form of exercise. In such instances, you can practice muscle tightening and relaxation while sitting or lying down.

Sit in a sturdy chair and stretch the neck, arms, and legs from the seated position. Also, try to tighten a muscle group, say the leg muscles, holding for ten seconds at a time, and relax. Do this for different sets of muscles in the body, to get the best out of this workout.

Combine these exercises with your AIP diet and find the ones that feel most comfortable while improving your body’s strength and improving overall wellness.

BIO: Bree is a health and fitness loving blogger and editor for ProteinPromo, focusing on health, mind and wellbeing hints and tips. She enjoys regularly practicing what she preaches and encouraging others to take action for their health and wellbeing too.

Throughout this site you may find links to products that I use or enjoy. That means if you decide to buy it, I may receive a small commission. Your price stays the same and your purchase supports this blog at the same time. I only choose affiliates I believe in and only recommend products I would buy myself. Thank you for your support!

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